International Journal of Sport Studies for Health

Effects of Pilates Training and Vitamin D Supplementation on BMD, BDNF, and Mineral Status in Women with Osteosarcoma

Asma Taheri ^* iD , Asma Soleimani iD

Objective: Osteosarcoma and its treatment protocols may disrupt bone mineral homeostasis, reduce bone mineral density (BMD), and alter neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week Pilates training program combined with vitamin D supplementation on serum mineral-related biomarkers, BDNF, and BMD in women with osteosarcoma.

Methods: Fifty women with medically stable osteosarcoma (age: 29.50 ± 0.79 years; BMI: 23.65 kg/m²) participated in this randomized controlled trial. After screening and eligibility assessment, participants were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10/group): Pilates + vitamin D (ExD), Pilates + placebo (ExP), Pilates only (Ex), vitamin D only (D), and control (CO). The Pilates intervention consisted of supervised sessions three times per week for 8 weeks (24 sessions total). Participants in supplementation groups received 5000 IU vitamin D3 weekly for 8 weeks. Supplement/placebo administration and outcome assessment were blinded.

Results: Eight weeks of combined Pilates and vitamin D supplementation were associated with significant improvements in serum calcium (p = 0.003), magnesium (p = 0.002), phosphorus (p = 0.01), BDNF (p = 0.01), and BMD (p = 0.01) compared with control conditions. Post-hoc analyses indicated that the ExD group demonstrated greater improvements than control and single-intervention groups (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: Combined Pilates training and vitamin D supplementation may improve serum mineral-related biomarkers, BDNF, and BMD-related outcomes in women with osteosarcoma. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Combined Cognitive-Motor Training Improves Agility, Decision-Making, and Match Performance in Competitive Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Muhammad Ali ^* iD , Fadli Ihsan iD , Ugi Nugraha iD , Ilham iD , Zhanneta Kozina iD , Bekir Erhan ORHAN iD

Objectives: Modern tennis performance requires the integration of perceptual-cognitive and movement-related abilities because of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of competitive match play. Although combined cognitive-motor training (CCMT) has received increasing attention in open-skill sports, evidence regarding its effectiveness in competitive tennis remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CCMT on reactive agility, tennis-specific decision-making, and match performance in competitive tennis players.

Methods: This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial used a parallel-group pretest–posttest design. Forty competitive tennis players aged 16–22 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). After two non-intervention-related withdrawals in the control group, the final per-protocol analysis included 38 participants. The experimental group completed an eight-week CCMT program integrated into their regular training schedule, whereas the control group continued regular tennis training only. Reactive agility, tennis-specific decision-making, and match performance were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The experimental group showed a significantly greater reduction in reactive agility completion time than the control group (F = 18.72, p < 0.001). Significant group × time interaction effects were also found for decision-making accuracy (F = 16.94, p < 0.001) and decision-making response time (F = 14.27, p < 0.001), indicating greater increases in decision-making accuracy and greater reductions in response time in the experimental group. In addition, the experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in match-performance outcomes, including increased winners (F = 11.83, p = 0.002), reduced unforced errors (F = 13.26, p = 0.001), increased rally success percentage (F = 15.11, p < 0.001), increased point-winning efficiency (F = 13.02, p = 0.001), and improved tactical efficiency index (F = 12.48, p = 0.001). No serious adverse events or intervention-related injuries were reported during the intervention period.

Conclusion: Combined cognitive-motor training was more effective than regular tennis training alone in improving reactive agility, tennis-specific decision-making, and competitive match performance in competitive tennis players. These findings suggest that integrating cognitive challenges into representative sport-specific movement tasks may be an effective strategy for enhancing perceptual-cognitive and movement-related performance capacities in competitive tennis. Future studies should examine the long-term retention of these effects and clarify the mechanisms underlying cognitive-motor adaptation in sport-specific training environments.

Field-Based Evaluation of a Three-Camera Video-Based System for Three-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Powerlifting Movements

Sreedev S A iD , Ramakrishnan R ^* iD

Objective: Three-dimensional (3D) kinematic assessment is important for quantifying movement mechanics during resistance exercise; however, laboratory-based motion-capture systems are often costly, technically demanding, and difficult to implement in field settings. Low-cost multi-camera video-based systems may offer a practical alternative, but their measurement agreement during complex multi-joint resistance exercises remains insufficiently established. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between a three-camera video-based 3D kinematic analysis system and an expert manual video-digitization reference method during squat, bench press, and deadlift exercises performed under field-based conditions.

Methods: This cross-sectional agreement study included 42 male university powerlifters who performed competition-standard squat, bench press, and deadlift trials. Movements were recorded using three synchronized digital video cameras operating at 120 Hz and analyzed with Kinovea software. The proposed system was compared with an expert manual video-digitization reference method performed by blinded analysts. Selected joint angles and mean concentric barbell velocity were analyzed. Agreement between methods was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), root mean square error (RMSE), paired-samples t-tests, and Bland–Altman analysis.

Results: Strong correlations were observed across all measured variables (r = 0.946–0.982, p < 0.001), and agreement was excellent based on ICC values ranging from 0.944 to 0.981. RMSE values were low, ranging from 1.63° to 1.91° for joint-angle measures and from 0.015 to 0.016 m·s⁻¹ for barbell velocity. Paired-samples comparisons showed no statistically significant differences between the proposed system and the expert manual reference method for seven of the eight variables. Although the bench press elbow angle showed a statistically significant difference, the magnitude of this difference was less than 1° and was not considered practically meaningful. Bland–Altman analysis indicated minimal systematic bias and narrow limits of agreement across the measured variables.

Conclusion: The proposed three-camera video-based system demonstrated high agreement with an expert manual video-digitization reference method for selected 3D kinematic variables during squat, bench press, and deadlift exercises under standardized field-based conditions. Although these findings should not be interpreted as validation against laboratory-grade optical motion-capture systems, the system may provide a practical option for field-based biomechanical assessment when laboratory motion-capture facilities are unavailable.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Dietary Supplement Use Among Sport Sciences Students

Thekra Alawamleh ^*

Objective: This study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward dietary supplement use among students of the Faculty of Sport Sciences and to examine whether these levels differed according to gender, specialization, and academic year.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive analytical cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected from 100 male and female students using a structured questionnaire based on the KAP framework. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices related to dietary supplement use. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data at a significance level of α ≤ 0.05.

Results: Students showed a high level of knowledge regarding dietary supplements (M = 2.52, SD = 0.37), moderate attitudes (M = 2.36, SD = 0.78), and relatively high but variable practices (M = 3.70, SD = 1.10). No statistically significant differences were found in KAP scores according to gender, specialization, or academic year.

Conclusion: Although sport sciences students demonstrated adequate knowledge of dietary supplements, this knowledge was not consistently reflected in more favorable attitudes or uniform evidence-based practices. Applied nutrition education and targeted awareness programs are therefore needed to promote safe and responsible supplement use.

Effect of Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Serum Asprosin Levels and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Men

Ameer Almasoodi iD , Ramin Amirsasan ^* iD , Javad Vakili iD , Mostafa Khani iD , Hussein Alwawi iD

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.4625

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum Asprosin levels and body composition in overweight and obese men.

Methods and Materials: A total of 36 overweight and obese men with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 34.9 aged between 30 and 35 years, were voluntarily selected and randomly assigned to either the HIIT group or a control group in a semi-experimental, pre-post study design. The HIIT intervention lasted for eight weeks, consisting of three sessions per week. Asprosin was measured using ELISA, while body composition was assessed via InBody 230 analysis. Statistical comparisons were performed using ANCOVA with significance set at α < 0.05.

Findings: Following the intervention, the HIIT group exhibited significant reductions in serum asprosin levels (F = 134.06, p < 0.01), body fat percentage (F = 186.79, p < 0.01), BMI (F = 25.36, p < 0.01), lean body mass (F = 9.88, p = 0.004), and waist-to-hip ratio (F = 9.88, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: These findings support the role of HIIT as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for reducing serum Asprosin levels and improving body composition in overweight and obese populations.

The Effect of Kinesiotaping on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Ebrahim Piri iD , AmirAli Jafarnezhadgero ^* iD , Saeid Alihosseini iD , Nastaran Moradzade iD

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.4758

Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries, and optimal functional recovery requires a precise and multifaceted rehabilitation program. Kinesio taping (KT) has emerged as a non-invasive adjunctive therapy for managing postoperative complications. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of KT on balance, muscle strength, pain, and edema in patients following ACLR.

Methods and Materials: A systematic search was conducted across six databases PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from 2014 until the final search date in February 2025. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of KT in post-ACLR patients. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2). Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated as the effect size.

Findings: Thirteen studies with 631 participants were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that KT was significantly associated with improved dynamic balance (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.17), increased quadriceps strength (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.87), reduced pain (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.85), and decreased edema (SMD = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.35). Heterogeneity across studies was low to moderate (I² = 45–68%).

Conclusion: Current evidence supports KT as a safe and effective adjunctive intervention in ACLR rehabilitation, providing significant improvements in balance, muscle strength, pain, and swelling.

Traditional Sports and Physical Culture Studies in Turkology Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis

Ahu Cavlazoğlu Davulcu ^* iD

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.5320

Objective: This study examined the structure, development, and thematic organization of research on traditional sports and physical culture within Turkology literature through a bibliometric approach.

Methods: Records were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using a structured topic search. A total of 264 publications were included and analyzed through descriptive bibliometric indicators and science-mapping techniques. Publication trends, author productivity, country contributions, keyword patterns, co-occurrence structures, thematic clusters, and citation patterns were assessed.

Results: The literature showed limited activity before 2010, followed by gradual growth and a clearer increase after 2015. Author productivity was widely dispersed, with no dominant author group or consolidated research core. Türkiye was the leading contributor, followed by Russia and the United States, while contributions from other countries indicated gradual internationalization. Keyword and thematic analyses showed that the field is mainly shaped by cultural, historical, and geographical perspectives. Sport-specific terms appeared less frequently and were usually embedded within broader socio-cultural discussions rather than treated as a separate sport-science domain. The citation structure also suggested a fragmented knowledge base with limited intellectual consolidation.

Conclusion: Traditional sports research within Turkology remains interdisciplinary, text-centered, and conceptually dispersed. Although academic interest has increased, the field still lacks a stable theoretical foundation and a clearly defined disciplinary identity. More focused, theoretically informed, and methodologically integrated studies are needed to strengthen the conceptual coherence of this research area.

Psychophysiological Responses to Competitive Anxiety, Stress Biomarkers (sCort and sAA), and Performance in Elite Female Basketball Players

Amir Hossien Mehrsafar ^* iD , Behrouz Golmohammadi iD , Parisa Gazerani iD

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.intjssh.5162

Objective: This study examined the associations between competitive anxiety, self-confidence, salivary cortisol (sCort), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and performance outcomes in elite female basketball players.

Methods and Materials: In this observational cross-sectional study, 30 elite female basketball players (mean age = 16.4 ± 0.9 years) competing at national and international levels were included. Psychological states were assessed using the Persian version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R) approximately 1 hour prior to competition. Saliva samples were collected 30 minutes before competition to measure sCort and sAA. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations and exploratory multivariable relationships.

Results: Higher levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety were significantly associated with lower free-throw and field-goal percentages and with more turnovers, whereas self-confidence showed the opposite pattern. Pre-competition sCort and sAA were positively associated with anxiety and negatively associated with self-confidence. In exploratory multivariable analyses, overall regression models were significant for several performance indicators, although individual predictors in enter models were not significant, suggesting substantial shared variance among predictors. In backward exploratory models, sAA, self-confidence, and cognitive anxiety/sCort combinations were retained in models of selected performance outcomes.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of integrated psychophysiological monitoring in elite sport. Combined psychological and physiological assessments may support coaches and practitioners in optimizing performance and managing competitive stress in high-level athletes.

International Journal of Sport Studies for Health

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Psychophysiological Responses to Competitive Anxiety, Stress Biomarkers (sCort and sAA), and Performance in Elite Female Basketball Players

Effect of Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Serum Asprosin Levels and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Men

The Effect of Kinesiotaping on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The Impact of Aerobic Exercise Intensity on the Expression of Pro-inflammatory Genes IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 in the Intestinal Lymphocytes of Aged Mice

The Effect of Swimming Training on Sources of Self-Confidence in Sports and Self-Assessment of Swimming Skills

Traditional Sports and Physical Culture Studies in Turkology Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models in Didactics of Sports Sciences and Physical Education: A Comprehensive Review of Pedagogical Applications, Teaching Innovations, and Research Implications

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Keywords

Effects of Pilates Training and Vitamin D Supplementation on BMD, BDNF, and Mineral Status in Women with Osteosarcoma

Combined Cognitive-Motor Training Improves Agility, Decision-Making, and Match Performance in Competitive Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Field-Based Evaluation of a Three-Camera Video-Based System for Three-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Powerlifting Movements

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Dietary Supplement Use Among Sport Sciences Students

Effect of Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Serum Asprosin Levels and Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Men

The Effect of Kinesiotaping on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Traditional Sports and Physical Culture Studies in Turkology Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis

Psychophysiological Responses to Competitive Anxiety, Stress Biomarkers (sCort and sAA), and Performance in Elite Female Basketball Players